Traffic warden service ‘will be maintained’ by officers on the beat, councillors told

Police traffic warden in Hawick.

Published:11:00Wednesday 30 April 2014

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Councillors have been told that there has been a “misunderstanding” between the council and Police Scotland and that officers will enforce parking matters.

Council chief executive Tracey Logan told members last Thursday that a letter from Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Mawson cleared up the matter, adding: “The service will be maintained to the same level, albeit without traffic wardens.”

However, this week an SBC spokesman confirmed discussions are still ongoing.

He said: “We have requested further clarification on some aspects of the letter.

“We met with senior police officers in Glasgow on Monday and are awaiting final clarification on these points.”

At last week’s meeting of the council, Assistant Chief Constable Mike McCormack told councillors that people overstaying time restrictions did not have the same ‘safety implications’ as dangerous or obstructive parking, but officers will act on local concerns.

He also pointed out that officers had taken action in Hawick and Selkirk in recent weeks.

However Hawick councillor Davie Paterson criticised the decision to use officers to deal with parking offences.

“What you are doing now is a complete waste of time and resources,” Mr Paterson told ACC McCormack.

It is understood that legal action by SBC and other councils against Police Scotland’s decision to remove the traffic warden service is now unlikely.